
Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Seats and Restraints 73
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag locations, seeWhere Are
the Airbags? 070.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by seat belts by
distributing the force of the impact
more evenly over the
occupant's body. Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first and second rows. The rollover
capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
full or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See
When
Should an Airbag Inflate? 072.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to seat belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After frontal, knee, and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize the airbags inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see
Where Are the
Airbags? 070.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air (Continued)

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
74 Seats and Restraints
Warning (Continued)
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. After turning the ignition
off and then on again, the fuel
system will return to normal
operation; the doors can be locked,
the interior lamps can be turned off,
and the hazard warning flashers can
be turned off using the controls for
those features. If any of these
systems are damaged in the crash
they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
Vehicles with eAssist have a high
voltage battery and a standard
12-volt battery. If an airbag inflates
or the vehicle has been in a crash,
the vehicle's sensing system may
shut down the high voltage system.
When this occurs, the high voltage
battery is disconnected and the
vehicle is not charging the 12-volt
battery or the electrical system. The
vehicle may start but it shuts down once the 12-volt battery is depleted.
When the 12-volt battery is
depleted, the vehicle will not start
and the on-board jump start feature
is disabled. The airbag readiness
light and/or the 12-volt battery
warning light are displayed. Before
the vehicle can be operated again, it
must be serviced at your dealer.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.
Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Seats and Restraints 79
{Warning
Stowing articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information0334.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the 12‐
volt battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inflate during
improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the airbag
system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make
sure the person performing work
for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal may keep the airbag system
from working properly. The
operation of the airbag system can
also be affected by changing any
parts of the front seats, seat belts,
airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument panel, inner door seals including the
speakers, any of the airbag
modules, ceiling or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors,
or airbag wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Instruments and Controls 103
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 104
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 104
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 104
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 105
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Driver Efficiency Gauge (eAssist) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 115
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 115 Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 117
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 117
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 121
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 121
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 123
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 123
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 124
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 124
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 124 Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 125
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Information Displays
Power Flows (eAssist) . . . . . . . . 125
Energy Information
(eAssist) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 129
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 132
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 133
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 133
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 140
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
104 Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you.
4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving. Power Tilt and Telescoping
Steering Wheel
To adjust the steering wheel,
if equipped:
Press the control up or down to tilt
the steering wheel upwards or
downwards.
Press the control forward or
rearward to move the steering wheel
closer or away from you.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Steering Wheel Controls
The infotainment system can be
operated by using the steering
wheel controls. See "Steering
Wheel Controls" in the infotainment
manual.
Heated Steering Wheel
(:
If equipped, press to turn on or
off. A light near the button displays
when the feature is turned on.
The steering wheel takes about
three minutes to start heating.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Instruments and Controls 105
Horn
Pressaon the steering wheel pad
to sound the horn.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
With the ignition on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY, move the windshield
wiper lever to select the wiper
speed.
HI : Use for fast wipes.
LO : Use for slow wipes.
INT : Use for intermittent wipes. To
adjust wipe frequency, turn the band
up for more frequent wipes or down
for less frequent wipes.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.
1x : For a single wipe, briefly move
the wiper lever down. For several
wipes, hold the wiper lever down.
f: Pull the windshield wiper
lever toward you to spray windshield
washer fluid and activate the wipers.
The wipers will continue until the
lever is released or the maximum
wash time is reached. When the
lever is released, additional wipes
may occur depending on how long
the windshield washer had been activated. See
Washer Fluid0245
for information on filling the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use
the washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper
blades before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. Damaged blades should
be replaced. See Wiper Blade
Replacement 0249.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the
wiper motor.
Wipe Parking
If the ignition is turned off while the
wipers are on LO, HI, or INT, they
will immediately stop.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
Instruments and Controls 111
Cluster Menu
There is an interactive display area
in the center of the instrument
cluster.
Use the right steering wheel control
to open and scroll through the
different items and displays.
Press
Sto access the cluster
applications. Use
yorzto scroll
through the list of available
applications. Not all applications will
be available on all vehicles. .
Info App. This is where the
selected Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
0126.
. Audio
. Phone
. Navigation
. Options
Audio
Press
Vto select the Audio app,
then press
Tto enter the Audio
menu. In the Audio menu browse for
music, select from the favorites,
or change the audio source.
Phone
Press
Vto select the Phone app,
then press
Tto enter the Phone
menu. In the Phone menu, if there is
no active phone call, view recent
calls, scroll through contacts,
or select from the favorites. If there
is an active call, mute or unmute the
phone or switch to handset or
handsfree operation. Navigation
Press
Vto select the Navigation
app, then press
Tto enter the
Navigation menu. If there is no
active route, you can resume the
last route and turn the voice
prompts on/off. If there is an active
route, press
Vto cancel route
guidance or turn the voice prompts
on/off.
Options
Press
Vto select the Options app.
Use
yorzto scroll through items
in the Options menu.
Units : Press
Twhile Units is
displayed to enter the Units menu.
Choose English or metric units by
pressing
Vwhile the desired item is
highlighted.
Display Themes : Press
Twhile
Display Themes is displayed to
enter the menu. Choose Sport or
Touring by pressing
Vwhile the
desired item is highlighted.

Buick LaCrosse Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10999169) -
2018 - crc - 3/28/17
118 Instruments and Controls
If the light is flashing :A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as
soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible.
If the light is on steady : A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
. If fuel has been added to the
vehicle using the capless funnel
adapter, make sure that it has been removed. See
“Filling the
Tank with a Portable Gas Can”
under Filling the Tank 0219.
The diagnostic system can
detect if the adapter has been
left installed in the vehicle,
allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the adapter removed
may turn off the light.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See Fuel
0 218.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are
not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
vehicle operation. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0226. See
your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
. The light is on when the engine
is running.
. The light does not come on
when the ignition is on with the
engine not running for Key
Access or in Service Mode for
Keyless Access.
. Critical emission control systems
have not been completely
diagnosed. If this happens, the
vehicle would not be ready for